Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Media contact: Jennifer Groebner, (651) 296-7706 Technical contact: Jessica Ebertz (651) 296-8011 ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) that has been prepared for proposed construction of a new lift station in Victoria. The draft EAW is open for public comment until 4:30 p.m. on May 24, 2006. The proposal includes the relocation and updating of an existing lift station and the construction of a new sanitary sewer and water main. This project was initiated due to current design for a new residential neighborhood in the Krey Lakes area. The construction will serve a portion of the city that was recently annexed and is not currently being served by utilities. Construction should begin in 2006, and the lift station could be operational within eight months. The EAW, a preliminary environmental review that looks at how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment, is open to a 30-day public review and comment period. Comments on the Victoria Interceptor and Lift Station 15 EAW should be submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m. on May 24, 2006 to Jessica Ebertz, MPCA Regional Division, 520 Lafayette Road N., Saint Paul, MN 55155-4194. Or, comments may be faxed to Ebertz at (651) 297-2343. The MPCA will use the comments it receives to evaluate the potential for significant environmental effects from the project and decide whether an Environmental Impact Statement (a more comprehensive environmental review) is needed. Copies of the Victoria Interceptor and Lift Station 15 EAW are available for review at the MPCA's St. Paul office at 520 Lafayette Rd. N. and from the agency's Web site at hhref="/news/eaw/index.html. Copies of the EAW may also be requested directly by calling Mary Osborn at (651) 297-8510. Telephone inquiries related to the project should be directed to Jessica Ebertz at (651) 296-8011 or (800) 657-3864 (toll free/TTY).